Tecumseh business and technology campus to get its first occupant

Mary Lowe, The Daily Telegram
·2 min read
Brian Porter, general director for Dorin USA; Vito Serra, Casa Villa Builders; Giovanni Dorin, CEO Dorin Innovation Italy; and Amanda Tackett, Dorin USA administrator, pose for a photo at the recent lease signing.
Brian Porter, general director for Dorin USA; Vito Serra, Casa Villa Builders; Giovanni Dorin, CEO Dorin Innovation Italy; and Amanda Tackett, Dorin USA administrator, pose for a photo at the recent lease signing.

TECUMSEH — The very first business with plans to move into the Tecumseh business and technology campus on the east side of town off M-50 has signed a seven-year lease with an option to buy a spec building that is being constructed by Casa Villa Builders of Clinton Township.

Dorin USA LLC is a refrigeration compressor company with its base of operations in Italy. Its current North American headquarters is in Blissfield.

The company’s product was originally sold through Blissfield Manufacturing, so it made sense to keep the location until the company decided to put its roots in a new brick and mortar location.

The Dorin USA structure is set to be completed in late June or early July. It will have 20,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 4,000 square feet of office space. Dorin's seven-year lease with an option to buy is effective July 1.
The Dorin USA structure is set to be completed in late June or early July. It will have 20,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 4,000 square feet of office space. Dorin's seven-year lease with an option to buy is effective July 1.

“Due to our growth, we searched for a new location in the Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio area. Buildings of this size are not common to find in our area," Brian Porter, general director of Dorin USA LLC, said. "Since I live in Blissfield, it just made sense to remain in the area. The location in Tecumseh is close to Detroit Metro Airport making it easy for customers and our Italian colleagues to visit. Tecumseh also offers multiple restaurants with a small city charm. We were surprised at all of the small businesses that sold something other than antiques.”

The building has 20,000 square feet of manufacturing space and approximately 4,000 square feet of office space. Construction is slated for completion in late June or early July. Dorin’s lease is effective July 1.

The expansion into the new location will allow Dorin more room for products, a service center and the manufacturing of compressors, Porter said.

“We wanted to remain in the local county since we have always found good feedback from the community and Tecumseh turned out to be an excellent opportunity and perfect location," Giovanni Dorin, Dorin CEO, said. "The new industrial park that the community has planned is just exactly what we need combined with interesting administrative incentives.

"The atmosphere and culture of Tecumseh and the fact that Lenawee County and Michigan State have a long mechanical history make us confident in the positive aspect of our choice.”

The city is happy the business and technology campus is going to be occupied. Refrigerator compressors is how Tecumseh Products got started, Jessica Sattler, Tecumseh economic development director, said.

The business and technology campus has 158 acres of space. Casa Villa bought seven acres last year. Another developer bought 20 acres last year but has yet to build.

“We’re really excited to welcome Dorin to Tecumseh," Sattler said. "I think it will be a great fit for our community. We are slated to have the first operating business out of the Tecumseh business and technology campus. We’ve been working with Dorin for about eight months on this and they are great to work with. I think they’re going to be a very welcome addition to the city."

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Tecumseh business and technology campus to get its first occupant